F4tF: The Best Burger in America

In his article The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die, Alan Richman said the following about Le Tub…

This is a dream of a dump, located on the site of a former Sunoco gas station. Outside there’s assorted porcelain—toilets, sinks, tubs. Most have plants in them, and a lot of the plants look dead. Inside is a pool table, a jukebox, and tables reminiscent of the ones at highway rest stops. The view is magnificent, the Intracoastal Waterway at its broadest and most dramatic. Le Tub doesn’t take credit cards, and it has signs everywhere reinforcing that rule. I’m surprised anybody who eats here qualifies for a credit card.

The menu is big, and the food isn’t bad, except for the Sirloin Burger, which is magnificent. It’s slowly seared on an indoor grill, crusty on the outside, juicy inside, always perfectly cooked. At eight to ten ounces, it’s ideal big-burger size, and it’s shaped like a pincushion, with sloping sides, which means you get a nice gradient of doneness. The bun has a few poppy seeds and looks like a kaiser roll, but it’s smaller and softer. It’s just right for enveloping the meat, which is judiciously seasoned and spiced, mostly with salt and pepper, I suspect. That’s all it needs. No cheese or condiments required.

I don’t understand how this spot came to have the best burger in America, but it does. Regardless of where I am in South Florida, I always make my way here for lunch. I sit at the bar and watch yachts that cost millions drift by, draped with women who cost more, and I think to myself how lucky I am to be at Le Tub.

We arrived around 5 PM and settled in outside to take in the scenery

We all started watching the sun go down and enjoying some frosty cold Miller Lites in the can as time (and the sun) began to fade away below the horizon.

After a few beers it was hunger (and burger) time so we asked to see their menu

We decided to order one of their 13oz burgers and split it amongst us.  When we ordered the burger, the woman behind the bar said “The kitchen is a little behind and it will take about an hour”.  Can’t say exactly how long it actually took time-wise but it was around 3 or 4 beers consumed waiting.  I have to say, it was well worth the wait and absolutely one of the best burgers I have ever had.

Once we finished the burgers we sat, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery for a while longer.

Le Tub was easily one of the most fun & relaxing dining and drinking experiences I have had in a long long time.  If you are in the Miami area, go check it out.  Be prepared to wait a while (and pay cash) but it is well worth it for the overall experience.  Alan Richman was right.

Le Tub
1100 North Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019-3309
(954) 921-9425
http://www.theletub.com/